Fresh, nutritious food is a luxury many cannot afford, but is an integral part of leading a healthy, happy life. With this need met, families can put their energy into pursuing a better life, getting an education, giving something better to their children, and fulfilling their potential in a country that encourages them to dream.

Since 1989, volunteers have collected and distributed over 5 million pounds of food to over 86 thousand families. This food has been distributed to families within specific neighborhoods in San Francisco, Alameda and Marin counties. In 2001, Free the Need expanded to Siskiyou County.

Affectionately named “Food Day,” one day every week volunteers collect, sort and box-up donations of fresh produce, load a vehicle which drives into the neighborhood and distributes the family-sized food boxes (up to 45 lbs each!) to the residents on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition, volunteers and neighborhood residents help carry and deliver the food boxes to mothers with infants or young children, shut-ins and the elderly.

Food Day in San Francisco takes place every Friday where we are currently providing boxes of fresh produce to 100-150 families each week.

In Siskiyou County, Food Day takes place at the Klamath River Community Hall on Sunday afternoons. Members of the community gather together to make the boxes and distribute them throughout the area to families in need.